Trade Operations Manager- Americas

Acuity; California; On-site; USD 91,000 - 164,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health care

Dental coverage

Vision plans

401K benefits

Commissions/incentive compensation

Job summary

Acuity seeks a seasoned Trade Compliance Lead to oversee US, Mexico, Canada, and LATAM regulatory adherence. You will manage HTSUS/ECCN classifications, country of origin determinations, and FTA qualification, while guiding audits and process improvements across the Americas.

Ideal candidates have 6–8 years in trade compliance, strong cross-functional collaboration skills, and a Bachelor’s degree or equivalent. This on-site role offers comprehensive benefits in a hybrid corporate setting.

Qualifications

• Clear and compelling written and verbal communication skills.
• Demonstrated expertise in HTSUS classification, ECCN classification, customs valuation, country of origin determinations, free trade agreement qualification, duty drawback, and U.S. export controls (EAR).
• In-depth knowledge of USHTS/HS, country of origin requirements, free trade agreements, and U.S. EAR.
• Working knowledge of ACE and SNAP-R.
• Familiarity with the LATAM import/export environment.
• Experience working on cross-functional teams to implement system changes based on user or legal requirements.
• Excellent research and analytical skills with the ability to present conclusions clearly and effectively based on the intended audience and context.
• Strong understanding of the relevant regulatory environment, its impact on QSC, and how to develop, improve, and execute effective trade compliance programs.
• Ability to promote and maintain a strong compliance culture and ethical business practices.

Responsibilities

• Customs Classification, Country of Origin & Trade Determinations: HTSUS classifications, customs valuation reviews, origin determinations, and regulatory assessments across the Americas.
• Export Controls & ECCN Classification: ECCN classifications, export licensing, EAR reviews, denied party screening, and export control assessments.
• FTA, TAA, & Special Trade Programs: Administer USMCA etc. qualification analyses and tariff mitigation.
• Import Compliance, Duty Drawback, Reconciliation & Post Entry Activities: import reviews, PSCs, duty drawback claims, broker oversight, entry validations.
• Audit, Risk Assessments & Internal Controls: lead audits, risk assessments, corrective action plans, CBP/BIS/internal audits.
• Process Improvement, Training & Stakeholder Support: develop procedures, SOPs, controls, and training for classification, valuation, and duties.
• Regulatory Monitoring & Trade Compliance Advisory: monitor changes, communicate updates, advise stakeholders, and enhance controls.

Skills

Written & verbal communication

HTSUS classification

ECCN classification

customs valuation

country of origin determinations

FTA qualification

duty drawback

U.S. export controls (EAR)

ACE knowledge

SNAP-R knowledge

LATAM import/export

cross-functional teamwork

analytical skills

regulatory environment understanding

compliance culture promotion

Education

Bachelor’s degree or equivalent

Tools

ACE

SNAP-R

Job description

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QSC is creating exceptional, people-centric experiences with the perfect balance of technology and creativity. Q-SYS, our innovative full stack audio, video and control platform, unifies data, devices and a cloud-first architecture, empowering organizations to deliver transformative AV experiences across built spaces. Building on the QSC legacy, QSC Audio delivers audio technology that empowers live entertainers and sound reinforcement professionals with the confidence to create and deliver memorable experiences for their audiences.

Atrius, Distech Controls and QSC are part of the Acuity Intelligent Spaces (AIS) business segment. Our mission is to make spaces smarter, safer and greener through our strategy of connecting the edge with the cloud using disruptive technologies that leverage data interoperability.

Acuity Inc. (NYSE: AYI) is a market-leading industrial technology company. We use technology to solve problems in spaces, light and more things to come. Through our two business segments, Acuity Brands Lighting (ABL) and Acuity Intelligent Spaces (AIS), we design, manufacture, and bring to market products and services that make a valuable difference in people’s lives.

We achieve growth through the development of innovative new products and services, including lighting, lighting controls, building management solutions, and an audio, video and control platform. We focus on customer outcomes and drive growth and productivity to increase market share and deliver superior returns. We look to aggressively deploy capital to grow the business and to enter attractive new verticals. Acuity Inc. is based in Atlanta, Georgia, with operations across North America, Europe and Asia. The Company is powered by approximately 13,000 dedicated and talented associates. Visit us at www.acuityinc.com . #QSYS

Work location:

• This position requires on-site presence in Corporate CA, HQ, following a hybrid work model.

Job Summary

Primarily responsible for ensuring QSC’s compliance with trade laws, trade business processes, and regulations in the United States, Mexico, Canada, and Latin America in accordance with corporate policies, procedures, and compliance frameworks. This role serves as the primary regional point of contact for customs and export compliance matters across the Americas and partners closely with Internal Legal Trade Compliance to support implementation of global trade compliance policies and requirements.

The position provides technical trade compliance expertise and operational leadership for customs and export compliance activities, including HTS classification, ECCN classification, country of origin determinations, customs valuation, free trade agreement qualification, duty drawback, tariff analysis, and export controls. The role leads compliance assessments, audits, monitoring activities, and corrective action initiatives, develops auditable compliance documentation, and identifies and mitigates compliance risks while supporting business objectives and regulatory requirements.

Key Tasks & Responsibilities (Essential Functions)

Customs Classification, Country of Origin & Trade Determinations
Conduct and maintain HTSUS classifications, customs valuation reviews, country of origin determinations, substantial transformation analyses, and regulatory assessments supporting imports and exports throughout the Americas. Develop and maintain audit ready records and technical compliance memoranda supporting regulatory requirements.

Export Controls & ECCN Classification
Conduct and maintain ECCN classifications, export licensing determinations, EAR compliance reviews, denied party screening oversight, and export control assessments. Maintain BIS compliant records and supporting documentation, and support export compliance audits, investigations, and regulatory inquiries.

FTA, TAA, & Special Trade Programs
Administer and document Free Trade Agreement programs (including USMCA), Trade Agreements Act (TAA) eligibility analyses, tariff mitigation initiatives, and other special trade programs. Maintain qualification records, supplier certifications, and supporting documentation.

Import Compliance, Duty Drawback, Reconciliation & Post Entry Activities
Conduct import compliance reviews, support post summary corrections (PSCs), reconciliation filings,duty drawback claims, broker oversight activities, customs entry validations, and other customs compliance activities to ensure compliance with regulatory requirements and company policies.

Audit, Risk Assessments & Internal Controls
Lead customs and trade compliance audits, risk assessments, monitoring activities, and internal control reviews. Identify compliance gaps, document findings, develop corrective action plans, and support CBP, BIS, and internal audit activities.

Process Improvement, Training & Stakeholder Support
Develop and improve trade compliance procedures, SOPs, work instructions, compliance controls, and training programs. Provide technical guidance to stakeholders regarding classification, valuation, country of origin, FTA qualification, TAA eligibility, duty drawback, export controls, and customs compliance requirements.

Regulatory Monitoring & Trade Compliance Advisory
Monitor and assess changes to customs, export control, sanctions, tariff, and trade regulations affecting QSC’s operations in the United States, Canada, Mexico, and Latin America. Communicate regulatory updates, provide compliance guidance to stakeholders, and recommend process or control enhancements to maintain compliance and support business objectives.

Job Requirements & Qualifications

• Clear and compelling written and verbal communication skills.
• Demonstrated expertise in HTSUS classification, ECCN classification, customs valuation, country of origin determinations, free trade agreement qualification, duty drawback, and U.S. export controls (EAR).
• In-depth knowledge of USHTS/HS, country of origin requirements, free trade agreements, and U.S. EAR.
• Working knowledge of ACE and SNAP-R.
• Familiarity with the LATAM import/export environment.
• Experience working on cross-functional teams to implement system changes based on user or legal requirements.
• Excellent research and analytical skills with the ability to present conclusions clearly and effectively based on the intended audience and context.
• Strong understanding of the relevant regulatory environment, its impact on QSC, and how to develop, improve, and execute effective trade compliance programs.
• Ability to promote and maintain a strong compliance culture and ethical business practices.

Bachelor’s degree or equivalent.

6–8 years of experience.

Preferred Education

Bachelor’s degree or similar certification in a relevant field, such as International Business and Trade, Logistics, or a related discipline.

Equivalent relevant work experience may be considered.

Preferred Experience

5+ years of experience in a Trade Compliance role.

Deep knowledge of trade compliance processes and how they integrate with other business functions.

QSC. is owned by Acuity Inc., which is located in the United States. These companies share a global recruitment system on which the data you provide will be stored, and which will be subject to the laws of the United States of America.

The range for this position is$91,400.00 to$164,400.00. Placement within this range may vary, depending on the applicant’s experience and geographic location.

Acuity offers generous benefits including health care, dental coverage, vision plans, 401K benefits, and commissions/incentive compensation depending on role.

• health care
• dental coverage
• vision plans
• 401K benefits
• commissions/incentive compensation depending on role

We value diversity and are an equal opportunity employer.

All qualified applicants will be considered for employment without regards to race, color, age, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, ethnicity or national origin, disability, pregnancy, religion, covered veteran status, protected genetic information, or any other characteristic protected by law.

Accommodation for Applicants with Disabilities: As an equal opportunity employer, Acuity Inc. is committed to providing reasonable accommodations in its application process for qualified individuals with disabilities and disabled veterans. If you have difficulty using its online system due to a disability and need accommodation, you may contact us at [phone], select option 4. Please clearly indicate what type of accommodation you are requesting and for what requisition.

Any unsolicited resumes sent to Acuity Inc. from a third party, such as an Agency recruiter, including unsolicited resumes sent to an Acuity Inc. mailing address, fax machine or email address, directly to Acuity Inc. employees, or to Acuity Inc. resume database will be considered Acuity Inc. property. Acuity Inc. will NOT pay a fee for any placement resulting from the receipt of an unsolicited resume.

Acute Inc. will consider any candidate for whom an Agency has submitted an unsolicited resume to have been referred by the Agency free of any charges or fees. This includes any Agency that is an approved/engaged vendor, but does not have the appropriate approvals to be engaged on a search.

Nearest Major Market: Orange County
Nearest Secondary Market: Los Angeles